Annual enrollment period for Medicare plans nears

The Annual Enrollment Period for Part D drug plans and Part C Medicare Advantage plans begins Oct. 15 and will end Dec. 7.

Passages Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program is providing several community workshops entitled What’s New with Medicare in 2018 to help Medicare beneficiaries make the best choice possible for their health care needs in the coming year. These workshops will explain changes in Medicare — if any — plus information about drug plans, which plans will remain in the area, which plans will be leaving, and will also answer questions about Medicare Advantage plans.

Ronda Kramer, HICAP program director, wants Medicare beneficiaries to know that the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period should not be confused with the Covered California Insurance Exchange enrollment period. She warns beneficiaries to be on the alert for insurance agents using aggressive tactics to sell health insurance. Misinforming beneficiaries would be considered fraud.

Fraudsters are very active this time of year. Seniors and others on Medicare who participate in the exchange in error may experience complications with their coverage and potential premium penalties with Medicare in the future.